Test opener David Warner has found form at just the right time, blasting a ruthless century for NSW against Queensland in the domestic one-day clash at North Sydney Oval.
Warner has endured a lean trot at both international and domestic level, dropped from the Australian one-day side for poor form.
But taking advantage of the batting-paradise that is North Sydney Oval, Warner smashed 139 off 126 balls to reassert himself in the minds of selectors on Thursday.
Warner’s animated celebration upon bringing up the milestone from 96 balls, gave an indication of how much ne needed a big score.
However, his jubilation later turned to disgust, when he spooned one down the ground off Michael Neser to leave NSW at 5-223.
Warner had a field day on Thursday, hammering 13 fours and six massive sixes at the picturesque ground.
However, with a par score at North Sydney in the vicinity of 320, Warner knew he’d missed an opportunity to go on and make a double hundred, and his dismissal left NSW somewhat vulnerable, despite the runs already on the board.
But nonetheless, it was a major personal victory for Warner.
To start the Cup competition, the left-hander had fallen for 4, 0 and 17, with pressure beginning to mount on his Test spot.
The controversial star missed the opening two Tests of the Ashes series in England after he was stood down for the Champions Trophy one-day tournament for punching Joe Root in a nightclub.
The 26-year-old forced his way back into the team for the third Test at Manchester, after scoring a massive ton for Australia A in South Africa.
But despite a 71 in the fourth Test at Chester-le-Street his place at the top of the Australian order was far from secure in a batting line-up that was struggling for consistency.
Warner was given a slap on the wrist for missing a Sydney grade match, and was warned by NSW chief executive Andrew Jones to cut out off-field distractions.
But Thursday saw Warner return to his free-hitting best, as he scored his runs all around the ground.